1. Building Community Relationships
Presented by
Janet Allen
Rick Chase

2. Why Develop Relationships. What's the value
Why Develop Relationships? What's the value? How does it help you/the organization?
You’re not alone! Someone else is in it with you.
Generate support – both funding & program support
Develop interdependency between agencies – “give & take”
Multiple impact/effect – accomplish more together
Address similar missions
Gives broader perspective of community needs
Commitment to group, better follow-through
Good PR
New volunteers

3. Why Develop Relationships. (continued) What's the value
Why Develop Relationships? (continued) What's the value? How does it help you/the organization?
Generate more ideas – brainstorming
Create synergies
Builds connections – networking
Reach new audiences
Build trust
Community and county government likes to see partnerships and collaborations

4. Are there downsides to partnering or going outside our walls?
Risk of losing control.
Takes effort
The “team” changes constantly
Limitations of partnering agencies
Make sure other partners get something in return
Learning curve
Core values of other agencies
Need to trust others – make sure expectations are clear
Might be hard to say “no”
Creates more meetings
Fallout from other partners who were not included

5. Who are some potential partners
Who are some potential partners? Where are they and how do you recruit them?
Boys and Girls Clubs
YMCA/YWCA
FFA
United Way
Community Foundations
School Corporations
Local government
Banks
Drug Free Councils
Soil and Water

6. Who are some potential partners
Who are some potential partners? (continued) Where are they and how do you recruit them?
Chamber of Commerce
Service Clubs
Civic Organizations
Libraries
Churches
Law Enforcement
PTO/PTA
Farm Bureau
Ag Associations
NASA – Neighborhoods Against Substance Abuse

7. Who are some potential partners
Who are some potential partners? (continued) Where are they and how do you recruit them?
DNR
Hospitals
Media
Military
Purdue University – other departments and colleges
Alumni – both Purdue and 4-H
Local Businesses
4-H parents and volunteers
Fair Boards
Farm Bureau
Park Boards

8. Who are some potential partners
Who are some potential partners? (continued) Where are they and how do you recruit them?
Master Gardeners
Extension Homemakers
Other colleges located in your county
IN 4-H Foundation
FSA
Juvenile Detention
Visitors Bureau
Our co-workers
Division of Children and Families
Health Departments
Youth Service Bureau

9. Results of a successful partnership?
Great programs!
More visibility
Community “buy in”
Larger audience
Financial support
Broader support base
Helps others see the bigger picture
More partners
County Council likes partnerships in community
Builds connections for programming in the future

10. Action Steps (for you)
Make a goal to find a new partner and write down how you’ll do it.

11. Positive Work Relationships (within the office)
District Director discusses Educator Performance
<<<Typical County Extension Staff Meeting

12. What are the issues? Personalities Generational differences Attitude
Communication
Work ethic
County employees vs. Purdue employees
Budget
Involvement/investment in the community
Understanding the programs in the other areas (CFS, ANR, ECD)
Depth of relationships in the community

13. What are the issues? (continued)
Trust
Jealousy
Gender issues
Educators flexibility vs. county staff
Commitment to teamwork
Finding the good in everyone
Value differences – how can everyone contribute
Everyone is busy – it is hard to come together & communicate
Silos in program areas

14. What are the advantages of great office relationships?
Less stress
Have fun
Supportive environment
Easier to collaborate – do joint programming
Enjoy coming to work
Praise co-workers
Know others on personal level to help understand working relationship
TEAM – Together Everyone Accomplishes More

15. What are the advantages of great office relationships? (continued)
Makes work seem easier
Increases effectiveness
Trust – no back stabbing
Office staff supports, advises, and helps co-workers when needed
Feel supported on a personal level
Good PR in the community
Can help strengthen co-workers in an area they struggle with

16. How do these great relationships happen?
Everyone needs to be responsible
Build relationships over time
Be intentional about building office relationships – it takes work and effort on everyone’s part
Try to understand others
Get to know your co-workers
Willing to “move on” from what happened in past
Respect differences in others
Respect strengths and weaknesses
Value others – everyone is important and contributes

17. How do these great relationships happen? (continued)
Recognize your co-workers for their accomplishments – both small and large
Create an open office environment
Listen to others
Pitch-in and help with work, other programs, etc.
Honor your commitments
Have office social activities – go to lunch together, pitch-in lunch, celebrate birthdays, etc.

18. What can you do to enhance the relationships in your office?
Have a great attitude!??
Decide on what you will do to enhance the working relationships that you have with your co-workers.

19. Questions?